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Admissions

Prerequisites

To be eligible for admission to the Physical Therapy Internship Program, you must be currently enrolled in one of the aforementioned affiliated institutions. Admission to the internship program is prearranged by the academic coordinator from your college or university.

All courses of study require a period of supervised clinical experience and successful completion of a national examination. Those who pass the test are awarded the title of physical therapist. Physical therapy programs are available in colleges, universities, medical schools and vocational, technical, or community colleges throughout the country. There are no on-the-job training programs. Because entrance requirements, prerequisites and program components differ from school to school, it is important to get specific information from those programs to which you are interested in applying.

Policies and responsibilities

The following Mayo School of Health Sciences' policies affect applications and admissions to its programs:

English fluency

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential to succeed in the program and to ensure patient safety. If English is a second language, you must be able to demonstrate fluency. Satisfactory performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination or the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency must be documented as proof of fluency. Your test results must be less than two years old.

Immunization record

For the protection of patients, students and employees, and in compliance with state regulations, Mayo Clinic requires students to be properly immunized. You must show proof of the following immunizations before you begin a program at Mayo School of Health Sciences:

Tuberculin test in the past six months

Varicella, rubella and rubeola immunity

Up-to-date diphtheria and tetanus shots

Hepatitis B vaccination or signed declaration

Documentation of vaccinations must be provided to Mayo Employee Health Service prior to the start of class.

Medical insurance

Students must have medical insurance coverage during their program. Evidence of medical coverage must be provided when your educational program begins.

Background check

Prospective students must pass a criminal background check and drug screening required by state laws, prior to enrollment to Mayo School of Health Sciences.

Student responsibilities

Mayo School of Health Sciences' students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, examinations and assigned clinical rotations unless absence is approved.

You must achieve a passing grade on the comprehensive examination, which you will take near the end of the second year of the program.

Students are required to exhibit professional and ethical conduct at all times.

Equal opportunity

Mayo School of Health Sciences upholds all federal and state laws that preclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or veteran's status.

Technical Standards

Mayo School of Health Sciences accepts students who are highly qualified for its programs. To be considered for admittance you should exhibit strong qualifications for the health profession you wish to pursue. Applicants to programs must possess the following general qualities:

Critical thinking skills

Sound judgment

Emotional stability and maturity

Empathy for others

Physical and mental stamina

Ability to learn and function in a variety of settings

In addition to these responsibilities, as a physical therapist you will be required to:

Work with arms above shoulders occasionally.

Have adequate use of legs, arms, hands and fingers.

Lift more than 50 pounds routinely.

Push and pull, bend and stoop, and kneel or squat routinely.

Stand 80 percent of the time.

Work compassionately with patients.

Assist patients on and off equipment from wheelchairs or carts.

Effectively write and speak to patients and staff.

Hear and see clearly.

Work weekends and holidays.

Most full-time physical therapists work a 40-hour week, which may include some evenings and weekends. The job can be physically demanding because therapists often have to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift and stand for long periods. In addition, physical therapists move heavy equipment and lift patients or help them turn, stand or walk.

You must be able to perform the essential functions of the profession and meet the standards of the curriculum. Students seeking exceptions to these standards or reasonable accommodations should initiate their request with the program's director.